house Bill H.R. 2824

Loosening Environmental Restrictions for Coal-Mining Companies

Argument in favor

New coal mining regulation would cost thousands of jobs and hurt job growth in at least 22 states, including historically poor states like West Virginia and Kentucky.

Argument opposed

Water pollution from coal contaminates groundwater, rivers and streams with heavy metals, mercury, and other toxins and pollutants. Moutaintop removal mining has already buried at least 2,000 miles of streams, according to the EPA.